Housing Options

The Best Possible Option

DIS strives to find the best possible housing match for each student and we work hard to ensure that they have a wonderful and hospitable stay in their housing. It should also, to the extent possible, immerse students into Danish culture.

DIS offers a variety of housing options that promote cultural immersion. It is important students consider all of our housing options, and then choose the option that best matches their level of independence and desired level of cultural interaction. Many of our housing options cannot easily be compared to housing found in the US, therefore, we encourage students to research our options on our website and contact the staff at the North American Office with any questions.

After students register for housing, our on-site housing office will work to place them with a compatible host or in a room that meets their needs. It is important to note that all housing options have limited availability and are filled on a first come first served basis. Therefore, we encourage students to register for housing as soon as they have been accepted. Each semester, over 90% of students receive housing in their first preference. 

Each of the DIS housing options entails various degrees of cross-cultural interaction with Danes:

• Host Family
• Danish Roommate
• Folkehøjskole
• Kollegium
• DIS Residential Community including Living & Learning Communities

Housing Immersion

In order to enrich the cultural experience and create a learning community within a DIS Residential Community, students selecting this option must participate in two or more of the following immersion opportunities during their semester in Copenhagen:

• Having a Danish Visiting Family
• Meeting a young Dane through the DIS Buddy Network
• Taking part in the DIS Volunteer Program
• Participating in athletics through the DIS Sports Program
• Enrolling in Danish Language & Culture

Danish hosts and Social & Residential Advisors

DIS expects the Danish hosts and Social & Residential Advisors to be open and welcoming to students, and to establish a positive intercultural relationship with them to mutual benefit. We put a great deal of effort into preparing our hosts and advisors for the intercultural encounter by visiting each family and Danish roommate in their own homes and inviting them to workshops and other social activities at DIS. They are committed to DIS because they want to open up their home to foreign students and to enter into a relationship where students and hosts learn from one another.
In most kollegiums and DIS Residential Community facilities, there is a Social & Residential Advisor, which is similar to an RA in an American dorm. He or she is a Danish or international student, living at the kollegium or in the DIS Residential Community, who is employed by DIS. Social & Residential Advisors are specially trained to work with American students. They are there to help students adjust to life in Denmark and help students find opportunities for immersion in Danish culture.

Commuting

All housing options require that students commute to DIS. The commutes vary in length from 30-70 minutes door to door. As most of our students live on campus at their home universities, commuting via public transportation is a new concept. Students are provided with a transportation pass, which is covered under the comprehensive housing fee. Commuting in Copenhagen is a daily activity for all, and we ask our students to accept this as part of their new Copenhagen lifestyle and use it to their advantage to catch up on homework, people watch, discover new parts of Copenhagen or simply to daydream and reflect.

Housing Placement Notification

Students are emailed their address approx. 10 days prior to the beginning of their term. However, if you wish to send mail to your student(s), you should use the DIS address as we will be able to claim and sign for packages during office hours.  See “When Students Are Abroad” for further information.

Once in Copenhagen

Occasionally, students and hosts do not match.  In most cases, this is no one’s fault.  We ask students to give their housing assignment a fair chance, especially after just arriving and being tired, jetlagged and going through the initial adjustment process.  Thereafter, if concerns still exist, students should contact the housing office and look into moving.